AFcitrus said:
Having said that I am disappointed and believe we have just witnessed one of the poorest officiated games in NFL history.
By the experts count (If you consider hall of fame votee John Madden an expert) the steelers were given a total differential of as much as 18 points by the zebras tonight - 4 points when Big Ben failed to get into the end zone but was given the touchdown anyway (by an linesman who changed his mind after making the correct call originally). 10-14 points when the Seahawks had the ball 1st and goal at the Steelers one yard line only to have the play brought back by a ridiculous holding call that had not been called all night.
The Indy-Pit game wasa one the poorest officiating jobs in NFL history.
Madden is an announcer now, and he's trying to keep ratings up.
*IF Ben really didn't get in (by the way, too close to reverse--Whatever the ref called on the field would hold up, because the picture was too blurry at the most critical part of the shot--when Ben was almost on the ground, the ball was CLEARLY not across--The shot that mattered was when Ben was still in the air, after grazing off Bettis' left shoulder pad, That's when I think the side od the ball broke the plane)--
Back to the point, Madden assumes the Steelers walk away with 0 Points? Ridiculous. Cower said he would have gone for it on 4th down, and who knows hao that would have turned up. 3rd and 1.5 yards versus 4th and about a millimeter, nobody knows how that ends up.
That RIDICULOUS? holding call? A spotted that as soon as it happened. I think Clark Haggans is a better linebacker than Porter (ie more physical). He proved me right on that play. He completely muscled Locklear (I think that's the right tackle's name) around the corner, so the guy arm locked Clark, who still got to Hasselbeck. Blatant holding, not reaching out and grabbing the jersey, but crystal clear.
Coaching won this game. And key players making (or not making plays). Big Ben made a horrible throw on 3rd from the 5 (did Madden ask where the game would be if the Steelers complete that to Cedric Wilson?)
Stephens couldn't catch a cold today.
Troy Polamalu was slowed down with an ankle injury and Seattle could never expose it.
Seattle's pro-bowl center was OWNED be Casey Hampton (who in my opinion was the game MVP--although I love Hines Ward, and am happy for him). Seattle allows an interior D-lineman to get a sack when the Steelers are rushing 4? Are you kidding me? They may have won the time of possession, and the turnover and the yardage battle, but the did not seal the deal by putting points on the board--THAT's why they lost.
Rick, maybe if your panthers were there, it would have been a different game (I personnally thought the Steelers matched up better against the Seahawks).
Seattle should have put points on the board when they had the chance, but they didn't. Note to Seattle WR--if you're going to push off, don't do it right in front of the REF!
Pittsburgh made plays when it needed to, and THAT's why they have the trophy!
